As in most things,
what determines your promotion is still the decisions
you make and how you perform in your current job. However,
just going out there "to do your best" just doesn't cut
it. Doing one's best entails having a specific goal in
mind (get promoted) to help you focus, adapting to the
prevailing corporate culture or organizational structure,
widening a network of influential relationships, and planning
ahead. If you go out and do your best in these areas and
following these strategies, you may well find yourself
getting promoted.

Adapt to the
new organizational structure. According to Randall
S. Hansen, Ph.D., a published career expert, getting promoted
is also hinged on adapting to the new corporate paradigm.
The impact of technology, globalization and flatter organizational
structures, has made it possible for people to create
and manage their own career paths. Today, the multi-tasking
nature of jobs requires not just specialization but stacking
up on related skills. This makes moving on to lateral
positions sensible; you may need to make such a move to
position yourself for an upward move in the future.

Plan ahead.
According to Dr. Donald E. Wetmore's The Productivity
Institute, people who go to work each day who don't have
a plan of action in accomplishing their duties will unlikely
get promoted. Having a plan for the short and long-term
helps you foresee threats and opportunities that might
crop ahead and act on them appropriately.

One of the most irresponsible
ways to work is to simply react on what things come your
way according to the sense of urgency it presents in any
given moment. On the most basic level, having a daily
and weekly checklist, drafted according to the deadlines
you need to meet and the opportunities you'd like to take
is effective in letting you see where you're headed for
and how much you're getting accomplished. Set long-term
goals by visualizing where you'd like to be in the future
and make micro plans in accomplishing them.

The bottomline is to
make sure that you know what you're doing all the time.
Don't get lost in a flurry of expectations and responsibilities.
And in doing so you stay focused enough to excel in your
present job so that you're ready to get higher responsibilities
when the time comes.

Build good
relationships. There are many ways to build career
relationships Flatter working structures make team playing
and broadening a network of influential relationships
integral to your career move. Be a team player and establish
a bond with your boss. Studies show that people who have
amiable relationships with their superiors and build rapport
with them make it easy for them to climb the corporate
ladder.

This goes hand in hand
with seeking a mentor. One recent study found that out
of four out of five promotions, those promoted had a mentoring
relationship with someone in a higher position and who
helped endorse them for positive career moves. This is
because your mentor, who has personally had a hand in
your development and training, can attest from experience
your competence and ability, not to mention the fact that
this is one of the best ways to grow in your company.
Seek out a mentor; just don't forget that the best teaching
relationships are founded on amiable friendships.

Meanwhile, actively
networking not only enriches your circle of friends but
also helps you be in the know when a good opportunity
comes up. Being a team player helps builds your reputation
and increases your value to the organization when you
recognize, appreciate and harness the talents of your
team mates to produce the very best value for your company.

Promote yourself.
Don't expect your superior to guess at your accomplishment.
It is your job to make him or her be aware of your accolades
and what you've accomplished for your department/ the
company so far. One of the best ways to do this is to
quantify results. Make a good case for a promotion by
showing detailed information about your past successes.
Results-oriented people usually get ahead.

Be creative
in making your achievements known. Do this in
such a way that doesn't seem like you're bragging and
thereby inadvertently inspire the ire of your colleagues.
For example, in sending accomplishment reports to your
boss, always acknowledge the contribution of people in
your team whenever applicable. The bottomline is to put
your achievements in focus. This makes sure that whatever
good you've done for the company doesn't go away unnoticed
and uncompensated.

Taking the initiative
to strategize for a successful career path is a surefire
way in getting ahead.